From the Aquarium, the park leads to a children's carousel area and then to the Swedish living history buildings and Scandinavian animals. Within houses and farmstead buildings, historical interpreters dressed in period clothing demonstrate and explain to visitors the traditional Swedish activities, such as spinning wool, weaving, pottery, bread- making and crafts.

The Scandinavian animals reside in natural habitat areas. There are over 75 different species, such as reindeer and brown bears. The captivating habitats intertwine with the living history buildings and encircle the park.

Skansen provides guests the chance to relax and enjoy the lush gardens, green spaces and animals, while experiencing Swedish historical life. This amazing open-air museum even hosts the most popular live television show in the country during the summer months, Allsång (Sing-a-long). Allsong features top local and international artists performing on the outdoor Solliden stage on Tuesday evenings. Locals and visitors lineup for the concert starting at dawn to watch famous performers, such as Ricky Martin and Abba's Benny Andersson perform with his fabulous orchestra and members of the exciting original Broadway cast of Mama Mia.

For a traditional Swedish smorgasbord, and to watch the summer Allsong show from a comfortable seat, visit the adjacent Solliden Restaurant. The interior is impressive with a beautifully lit, mid-night blue, starry night ceiling presiding over crisp linen-covered tables and gorgeous views of Stockholm. The Solliden smorgasbord offers the most luscious and largest selection of traditional Swedish cuisine in Stockholm. Try the Swedish meatballs and Lingonberries, as well as the fresh Gravlax (marinated salmon) and herring.

The Solliden cuisine is excellent and the restaurant is always busy; reservations are necessary if you want a seat. Make sure to check in advance for the days and times the smorgasbord is available. For additional information on Skansen, Allsång and the Solliden, visit Skansen.se

Stockholm is tantamount with shopping and fashion in competing European cities. For Swedish design and international brand names, Norrmalm hosts the largest fashion and shopping areas. Visit NK with over 100 different departments and six floors, it's a shopper's paradise. Located a few blocks away, the Gallerian is another hotspot and hip social scene featuring many excellent restaurants and cafes.

Getting Around
For travel on all local public transport, consider purchasing The Stockholm Card. It is a great way to avoid the hassle of purchasing transportation tickets each time you go somewhere and it serves as an entrance card to over 75 museums and attractions. The City Bikes are another efficient and fun way to circumnavigate the city. Take advantage of the safe and designated bike lanes that traverse across the entire city.

For additional information visit Stockholm and the Stockholm Card.

Patrice Raplee is an experienced travel photojournalist and editor of Travel Excursion and Seattle Spotlight for Positively Entertainment magazine. She is a member of North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA) and the Recording Academy. Her photographs and articles have appeared in numerous international publications, as well as NW newspapers such as the Seattle Times, the Stranger, Seattle Weekly and the Oregonian. As a freelance photojournalist, she has also worked with acclaimed musical entertainers, such as Santana, Billy Joel and Steven Tyler. Patrice has written several children’s short stories and is currently working on an adult fiction novel for publication.

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